Student from Gaza cannot leave for Finland to study in Helsinki
22-year-old Hassan Gerzalla, who is in the Gaza Strip, Palestine, cannot leave for Finland to study because of movement restrictions and bureaucratic procedures. The University of Helsinki admitted him as a visiting student in autumn 2025, but at the start of the academic year in January 2026, he remained in Gaza, YLE News reports.
Before the war between Israel and Hamas began in October 2023, Gerzalla studied English translation at the Islamic University of Gaza for about a year. According to him, the university was damaged by Israeli bombardments but continued teaching remotely. The student said he had completed all the courses required to obtain a bachelor's degree and was simultaneously looking for an opportunity to continue his education in Finland.
Studying amid displacement
In May 2024, Gerzalla and his family were forced to leave their hometown of Rafah. During his conversation with journalists, he was living with his family in a tent in the Al-Mawasi camp and completing most of his study assignments in a tent internet café. He also wrote material about Gaza for foreign media to pay for university expenses.
According to Gerzalla, a significant part of the day is spent searching for an internet connection and places to charge devices. As the eldest son in the family, he also helps his relatives with daily needs, including collecting water. The University of Helsinki gave him additional time to confirm his place of study.
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Obstacles to leaving
To obtain a residence permit in Finland, Gerzalla must undergo identification in person at a Finnish diplomatic mission. There is no such mission in Gaza. Normally, the Finnish Embassy in Tel Aviv handles visa matters for Gaza residents, but during the war Israel does not allow Gaza residents to enter its territory.
Finland's Ministry for Foreign Affairs allowed Gerzalla to apply at the embassy in Cairo if he independently arranged the trip and the necessary permits. However, the Rafah crossing mainly allows through people who need medical evacuation and their relatives.
The office of Israel's Ministry of Defense responsible for the occupied territories told YLE News that permission for a Gaza resident to leave may be granted at the request of another state. At the same time, the country receiving the person must arrange their transportation from the Kerem Shalom crossing to Jordan or Ramon Airport in Israel. Finland's Ministry for Foreign Affairs stated that the country is not obliged to evacuate people from Gaza merely because they have a place of study.
